Should Your Nonprofit Hire Grantwriters? Benefits and How to Find the Right Fit

The process of meeting fundraising goals through private and federal grants can often be an intimidating and complex one. This is why many nonprofits reach out for the services of grantwriters to give them a key advantage in getting grants approved. Those new to the nonprofit world may not be clear on what a grantwriter does, and their role—we’ll explain it all here.

What Is a Nonprofit Grantwriter?

In simplest terms a grantwriter is someone who specializes in preparing and submitting proposals to secure funding via grant money. Generally, a grantwriter is preparing proposals for government agencies, corporations or private foundations. It sounds simple enough, but anyone who has tried to prepare a proposal before will know just how much of a strenuous task this can be.

Enter the grant professional. These specialists work with nonprofits to help prepare expertly crafted grant proposals for specific projects. The main responsibility of a grantwriter is to research funding opportunities and then write grant proposals to them. Not only are they masters of the successful grantwriting process, but they all serve as grantseekers as well. 

A good grant proposal will include detailed descriptions of the organization’s background, need, approach, evaluation, budget, and expected outcomes of a program. The grant proposal also needs to meet the guidelines and criteria set by the grantmakers. Often, navigating these criteria, due dates, content specifications and format requirements can take more time than anticipated. 

Grantwriters often take on the role of monitoring the application process and make the nonprofit they are working for aware of the compliance requirements of the grant.

Why Your Nonprofit Should Hire Grantwriters

So that’s the summary of what grantwriters do. But does your nonprofit organization absolutely need to hire grantwriters? If you don’t, there’s a wealth of benefits that you’re missing out on, including the following. 

Expertise

Grantwriters are experts when it comes to securing grant awards. That alone should hold your interest. They know how to write up a compelling proposal that says all the things that a prospective funder wants to hear, increasing the chance of your nonprofit getting those vital grants. 

Efficiency

You have to put in official proposals, one way or another. If not a grantwriter, one of your own staff members is going to have to go through this time-consuming process. This is a lot of effort—and that’s before you have to take into account edits and double-checking. A grantwriter lets your team focus on what they’re best at, while the grantwriter does what they are best at. 

Knowledge

A good grantwriter will be staying up-to-date on the latest funding opportunities. They can not only help you with grant management, but potentially point you towards sources of funding you weren’t aware of. 

This knowledge also expands to the fields of reporting and compliance. An experienced grantwriter can help you better organize your system for applying for fundraising grant opportunities, and the recording of the status of each application.

Costs of Hiring Grantwriters

If it sounds like a professional grantwriter is just what your nonprofit organization needs, then your next question is likely this—how much does it cost to get one on board? 

There isn’t specific data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the average pay for effective grantwriting services. This is because grant professionals are not yet listed as an employment category, but sector leaders are looking to change this.

However, you can get a general idea of the cost of grantwriters by talking to them directly. Consultants will usually charge more per project, but the organization does not bear the cost of taxes and benefits. Your organization can do a cost analysis to determine if an external consultant or a hired employee is the best fit.

How to Find Expert Nonprofit Grantwriters

Another question may be where you can find grantwriters to hire. Thankfully, you have a wealth of options when it comes to finding excellent professionals for all your grantwriter needs. 

Professional Associations

There are many professional associations catering their services to grantwriters. These include the Grant Professionals Association and the American Grant Writers’ Association. These sites both feature directories and membership lists where you can find certified and experienced grantwriters.  

Freelance Platforms

Beyond the professional associations, many grantwriters can be found offering their services on freelance platforms. Example platforms that let you find freelance grantwriters include Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. 

Local Nonprofit Networks

Many nonprofits operate networks and communities in their local areas. For example, CalNonprofits for California, or OneStar for Texas. These networks often share resources and information, and are a great place to find referrals for grantwriters who have worked successfully with other nonprofits. 

Referrals and Recommendations 

If you’re in the nonprofit space, it’s likely that you’ve worked with colleagues who may know of a good grantwriter or two. Word-of-mouth recommendations from your board members, executive director or other staff members can be one of the most reliable ways of finding a grantwriter who can gel with your organization. 

Job Boards

If you’re looking to bring on a full-time grantwriter, then you can browse resumes on LinkedIn or other job boards. These are also great platforms to chat with others in your nonprofit space and make connections with grantwriting experts. 

Grantwriting Agencies

There are actual full agencies out there that specialize in nonprofit grantwriting, and can offer you the expertise of a full team. These agencies tend to handle every portion of the process, from grant research through to proposal submission.

If you want to learn more about what grantwriters do, make sure to check out our educational materials on writing proposals. Doing so can give you a greater understanding of what the best grantwriting entails, and what is needed for the job. Whether writing proposals on your own, or looking for help, understanding the task means a greater chance of success at landing those essential grants.